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Recent technologies like inkjet, dry film processing and thermal dye sub-printing make photo kiosk installation possible in places where conventional processing is not feasible. And because of these technologies that allow for self service printing of photographs, digital printing kiosks are making their way into all sorts of venues to fulfill this demand for convenient prints. After all, these kiosks offer in-store cross-merchandising possibilities.
According to a 2002 report issued by InfoTrends Research Group, a digital imaging research firm,
kiosk sector will continue its growth through 2006, but
poor economy is slowing that growth. In its report "Photo Kiosk and Retail Digital Photofinishing Forecast," it was stated that
number of installed photo kiosks in North America increased from about 26,000 in 2000 to 28,000 in 2001. Moreover, steady growth will continue, with 2006 estimates set at 33,000 units, but that is a far cry from 2001’s prediction of 150,000 units by 2006.
The report also explains that self-service digital printing kiosks are taking on a constantly increasing share of
photo kiosk market. Nearly half
photo kiosks shipped during 2002 were expected to be digital exclusive, as compared to 16 percent in 2001. More so, faster print speeds,
placement of kiosks in more convenient locations, and connectivity to
worldwide web are all expected to attract more customers to
services of photo kiosks.
In general, we can say that
current marketplace is adjusting from print-to-print kiosks, which could handle single images at a time, to kiosks which are more focused on printing from digital images, in multiples. Surely,
leading digital printing companies are looking into this idea to become feasible soon.

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